Anyone ordered from Sandhill Preservation before?

[MaransGuy]

Professional wrote:
The serious breeder does so for his own benefit and enjoyment, not for profit, and certainly not for the benefit of other people.

Professional, I have seen you perspective before and, while you are very certainly entitled to it, it is one I am glad to see fading more and more as the hobby matures. Supposedly "serious" breeders will often make the claim that they will not part with birds, eggs, chicks based on the quality issue, or that they do not want the birds to fall into the wrong hands. The simple fact of the matter is that it is merely a facade put on the reality of the situation: Such people want to keep the best birds for themselves, even if it is at the expense of the development and expansion of the breed. You may not want to be paid in cash but you crave the ego. It is not for the birds as then it would make more sense in helping to recruit more people interested in the breed. I know quite a few "Serious Breeders" that would frown at your statement as helping other people to enjoy their birds is one of the most rewarding parts of the hobby. Your stated disinterest plainly shows selfishness, not professionalism.

If you want to keep the best for yourself because "you pay the bills", then so be it but at least have the decency to be truthful about it instead of painting the picture of your "serious endeavor" that somehow raises you above 'all us chikin folk'. In the world of marans, there are still a few like you who, thankfully, are quickly falling out of favor among those us us who are "seriously" trying to improve the breed. It is one that needs a lot of work and we all realize it will not be done by just a few, select individuals. Some of the nicest stock in the US are now being spread out among many thanks to the breeders who sell eggs, yes, eggs. These people are not in it for the money, they are in it for the breed. The integrity of these people is without question based on their committment and the efforts they put forth with everyone that works with them.

I have seen this same trend happen in another, unrelated, animal field over the last 20 years. When I first started in that fancy it was commonplace to have stock held back, the "Top Keepers" never letting anything but a few individuals trickle out - and only when you proved yourself. Thankfully, those types of people are no more and, looking back, we see how detrimental the whole situation was.

Richard​

 

[blue90292]

i've been reading this a bit, and i'm throwing in my 2 cents.

what we also need to understand is that breeders deal with birds. they are bird nerds. have you ever tried to talk to a nerd? say, a scientific nerd about the quantum leap of this that and the other? it's hard to really connect.

i've done cat/dog fostering and talking to the foster parents of these animals is a totally different realm. their animals are their children, and sometimes, even though they want the animal to have a good home, sometimes no one is just good enough. "what?? you want to adopt this dog but you know nothing about the personality of this breed?? how dare you even think about wanting this breed of dog!"

same goes with poultry breeders. they usually arent' very outgoing people and their daily routine is with birds, not people, so sometimes they come across unapproachable. they're bird nerds. give them a break.

 

[DuckyBoys]

Quote:
Well I have to say I agree. Both as a scientist and an up-and-coming bird nerd. I only do ducks and geese though, and I'm real new at this. Nerds of any kind don't relate well to others because they introverts. I'm guilty.

I know exactly where you are coming from about the adoption ego. Seems to me the bird business has the some of the same people.

Last year we adopted a pair of young donkeys and this lady ws SO great. I fully expected her to put me through the ringer, call my barn unsuitable, call my land inferior, call me unstable if I didn't commit to 100 years of donkey preservation, and maybe she would have if my undergraduate degree wasn't in Equine Science, but she was WONDERFUL. She was all about getting her donkeys to a nice home where they could bond with their new families. She understood completely that nothing is permenant and offered to give a full refund of our adoption fee at any time if we ever changed our minds. Now THAT"S dedication to a species!

I've purposely avoided adopting other pets in the past because of the "look" they give you when they decide you aren't good enough.

As far as professionsl's opinions, what I heard Him/her? say was that if you're serious about being a "breeder" then you have to start with adults - so you know where they stand - and you have to raise huge numbers of birds in order to sort through them all and find the absolute best in your barn, and that ordering hatchlings won't get you to the winner's circle any faster.

Having said that - I placed an order with Holderread's...LOL...and yes I got the "top quality" hatchlings. I realize that adults are better but right now I'm looking for the "Journey" not the "Result". I subscribe to the live and learn meantality and if I don't make all t hose breeding mistakes I won't grow as a (hobby) breeder.

I do intend to show, who knows if I will win though. I also intend to make a little money off of stock in the years to come if I take a liking to it all. I don't see anything wrong with that.

 

[blue90292]

ducky, thanks for understanding.

speaking of people that don't want to spread the love...

and i might get banned or this thread may get locked, but did you know you are not allowed to talk about other forums on this site? they feel that it is promoting another forum that is in competition with this one.

did you know that there are rare breed forums? dark egg forums? forums for chicken lovers of certain states? poultry improvement forums? maybe you did, but alot of new people on here don't. and if they knew there were other people with similar interests in a more core area, i would think they would love to know. because knowledge is power and knowledge brings improvement. but we are not allowed to say anything about another forum because it is in competition with this forum.

puleeeeezzzee. competition with this forum?? there's thousands and thousands of people on this forum. what competition could they possibly face??

we have this problem in texas. from the big chicken producers. they actually lobby with the state to make it hard for us hobbyists to promote our poultry. most poultry shows have disappeared from our state because of the stringent rules the big chicken producers have asked the state to impose. we've been isolated and unless you are willing to travel and spend some money, you only get to hear about those beautiful huge orpingtons that show up at the shows in oklahoma, or how the bantam polish are different in the northern states than the ones you see in texas.

if any closemindedness needs to stop, it needs to start on this forum.

 

[kstaven]

And you need your facts straight blue. We never BANNED all forums and sites. Who ever told you this is dead wrong. PM me if you wish for FULL clarification of the policy.


If you have a specific issue or question PM me. Rules went into place for reasons you may not be aware of and for the best interest of the community at large. There are times an individual may not agree, but that will happen no matter what the rules.

Slamming the forum and its rules accomplishes nothing. Please refer back to the rule page.

 

[blue90292]

I sincerely apologize. I'm sure the rules were made for the good of the forum. Its wonderful to see someone come behind me and make the exact point I was trying to make. I promise nothing more of this will be said. Your generosity was greatly appreciated.

 

[tntstanifer]

Back to topic

Adam, I have an order that is supposed to come July 22 from Sand Hill. I ordered the "Farmyard Assortment". I'll let you know if/when the order comes in.

 

[herechickchick]

Quote:
Thanks Terri

 

[pipermark]

I honestly don't know what my experience with them will be, first time I ordered. I will say this , I have read much about their lack of communication. I have no doubt that this is true, since the fact that they don't communicate like others hatcheries is outlined on their web site.


I decided to try them because according to the National Jersey Club page Mrs. R. E. (Golda) Miller - was one of the top breeders Giant breeders.

The Sandhill Preservation folks have on their web site
Our birds are from Mrs. Golda Miller's flock.

So there ya go.

Have a nice day.

 

[kstaven]

You may be very pleasantly surprised Mark. I have ordered some birds from them in the past and for a hatchery, I have been impressed with some of the birds received. Others are mediocre but that goes no matter where you buy. Much the same gamble as buying hatching eggs from a good breeder.